The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-08-18
ENGLAND'S COLONIES.
How tho Foreign Dependencies OF the
British Crown Are Governed.

ENGIAND'S COIONtE0s
How tho Foreign Dependencies Of the
British Crown Are Governed.
The most powerful and prosperous OF
England's foreign possessions have
become what VIC now see them within
\ century. India and Canada, indeed,
were already in British hands hum
ired years ago; but they were then in
significant in wealth and power, COM
pared to what they now are. 1t is just
about a century since Australia, in
many respects the most interesting of
England's colonies, fell into her hands,
but the vast resources of that conti-
nent have only been utilized within the
past forty years. At first, the English
used Australia solely as remote place
to which she could send, and where she
could safely keep, her criminals. Botany
Bay, for more than fifty years, was a
convict settlement, where the felons
convicted of crime worked in gangs
and in chains, instead of being kept in
prison at home. But after awhile hon.
est settlers made their appearance in
Australia. and about fifty years ago
convicts from the British jails ceased to
be sent to Botany Bay. 1t was in 1851
that the first trace of the marvellous
wealth which lay hidden in the interior
was found. One day a native, with
his weapon, was scraping away some
grass, when he came upon great
nugget of gold.
The total European population OF
Australia, at the time this startling dis
covery was made, was only fifty thou
sand; in a single year thereafter two
hundred and fifty thousand persons
swarmed across the oceans, to seek for
the gold harvest which opened before
them. Then it became gradually
known that Australia had other treas
ures besides gold. Coal, copper and
tin were found in large quantities; and
the fertile lands beyond the ranges Of
hills that encircled the coast afforded
fine grazing grounds for sheep, and
yielded plentiful crops of wheat and
other cereals. Australia now contains
five great English colonies, with as
many governments; and the European
population of the island is at least
three millions. The governments Of
these colonies, though they are pre-
sided over by Governors appointed by
the English crown, are practically free
and much resemble that of the home
kingdom.
Another English colony of which we
hear great deal, is that planted at
the Cape of Good Hope, which is called
the "Cape Colony" 1t came finally
into the hands of England early in the
present century. The colonies of South
Africa have a total European popula-
ton of little over a million. The
British domain in that quarter is con-
stantly being enlarged by the annexa-
ton of neighboring States and districts.
The government of the Cape Colony re-
sembles the governments of Australia
and comprises a Parliament of two
Houses chosen by the colonists.
The English colonies, as to their gov
eminent, are of three kinds. The first
are called Grown colonies" and are
ruled entirely by the Governor, who is
appointed by the crown. Of these the
most conspicuous is India The second
class comprises colonies which have
representative institutions, but are moi
wholly self-goyerning. This is the case
with Malta, Ceyl on, Cyprus. the BAHIA
mas and Barbados, and other small
colonies. The third are the self-gov
erned colonies, of which the Australian
Canadian. and Cape colonies are the
chief examples
The relations between England and
her many dependencies, except India
are under the direction of member O.
the Cabinet who is called 1.-THE Secre
tary of State for the Colonies" Tht
affairs of India are entrusted to de
partment by itself, under the direction
of the Secretary of State for India.
1t can not de foreseen how long thes,
great, thriving colonies will be conten
to remain under the scepter of England
The mother country is proud of them
.. and undoubtedly desires to retain he
. connection with them. Yet if any on,
of them should desire to sever it, ant
become completely independent, it i
not likely that that desire would b
strehuously resisted. Youtb's Conpa,s
ION.
Substantial County Roads